Fortifications

Battleground National Cemetery (Source - NPS) , located one-half mile north of Fort Stevens, is one acre in size, and one of our Nation's smallest national cemeteries. The cemetery was established shortly after the Battle of Fort Stevens, in the summer of 1864. The battle, which lasted two days (July 11-12, 1864) marked the defeat of General Jubal A. Early's Confederate campaign to test the defenses of the nation's capital.

The entrance to the Cemetery is flanked by two Civil War vintage 6-pounder, smoothbore guns. Also near the entrance are monuments commemorating those units which fought at Fort Stevens:

25th New York Volunteer Cavalry Monument

98th Pennsylvania Volunteer Monument

122nd New York Volunteer Monument

150th Ohio National Guard Monument

The center of the cemetery is marked by a central flagpole, surrounded by 41 regulation marble headstones, marking the remains of the honored dead of Fort Stevens. Behind these headstones and to the east, stands a marble rostrum used to conduct yearly Memorial Day services. The four granite pillars are in memory of the four volunteer companies who fought at Fort Stevens.